Sulphur burner



July 1l, 1933. l. BENcowITz 1,917,692

SULPHUR BURNER Filed July 16, 1951 V12 Sheets-Sheet l VIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR ISAAC BENcown-z ATTORNEYS Emily M9 l a. EENCGWWZ 3,937,692

SULPHUR BURNER Filed July 16, 1931 2 SheeS-Sheet 2 ,.Eilllllllllllllllm INVENTOR s/mc zrvcowi 'rz ATTORNEYS Patented July 11, 1933 Y UNITED STA Tiss , ISAAC BECOVI'I'Z, OF NEW YGRK, N. kY., ASSIGNOR TO TEXAS GULF SULPHUB.

COMPANY, A CGBVPORATONVOF TEXAS sunrnun BURNER Application area Jury 1e,

This invention relates to sulphur dioxide production and has for an object the prof vision of improved Vapparatus for' producing sulphur dioxide.4 More particularly, the in- 5 vention contemplates the provision of improved sulphur burning apparatus.

Sulphur dioxide for use in various industrial operations such, for example, as sulphite pulp processes is generallyproduced lby subjecting elemental sulphur to the action of air or other oxygen-containing gases at elevated temperatures. In producing sulphur dioxide from elemental sulphur, considerable difliculty has been encountered in avoiding the production of gases containing, in addition to sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide and sublimed sulphur. The harmful yelfects of these substances are W ll known, and their presence in the gaseous product of a sulphur burning operation is undesirable. y

The heretofo're customary type of sulphur burning apparatus is incapable of being so operated as to producesulphur dioxide-bearing gas which is uniformly substantially free Jfrom sulphur trioxide and sublimed sulphur and which, at the same time, contains a suitably high percentage ofV sulphur dioxide. Various attempts have been made to so alter the designs and change the modes o f opera'- 30 tion of the commercial sulphur burners employed heretofore, but correction of one or more defects has resulted in the magnification of one or more other defects. Thus, for example, the provision of means for insuring the production of a gas free from sublimed sulphur has usually resulted in the produc-y tion of a gas of low sulphur' dioxide concentration and containing undesirable amounts of sulphur trioxide. Efforts to avoid the production of gases containing sulphur trioxide, and sublimed sulphur have usually resulted inY reduction in the capacity of the.

apparatus. The production of gases of fair quality with respect to sulphur dioxide concentration andk content of undesirable coinponents by means of the heretofore custom-l ary types of apparatus requiresk delicate adjustment and constant expert care of the apparatus.

The present invention provides sulphur cent their discharge ends.

1931. serial No. 551,193.

burning apparatus of simple and rugged cony struction which is capableof high-capacity production ofrgases of high quality with respect to sulpnnr dioxide concentration and content of undesirable components. The apparatus of the invention is flexible as ,to cal pacity and requires substantially no adjust-f mentvand littleattention in operation.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with `the invention comprises a combustion chamber and meansifor introducing a 'spray of finely divided or atomized sulphur into the combustion chamber.Y In the preferred form of apparatus of the invention, means are provided for. directing a kstream of high pressure gas such as air against a stream of molten Vsulphurpin order tol form the spray of finely divided or atoniized sulphurr The air or other gas is preferably directed against the stream of sulphur in the form of a whirling current of high velocity. Vhen air is'em# ployed for forming the spray of atomized sulphur', the amount employed is preferably insufficient to completely oxidize the sulphur to sulphur dioxide, the remainder of the required air being introduced into the combus tion chamber separately. The spray forming apparatus may vcomprise means for imparting whirling move` ments to bot-lr the molten sulphur and the gas employed in forming the spray. Thus, for example7 the molten sulphur and the air or other gas may be passedthrou gh separate passages provided With Worm threads adja-'. The preferred form of spray forming apparatus comprises a nozzle mounted in the adjacent ends ofV a pair of telescoping tubesor conduits and comprising telescoping Worm screws.v .The spaces between the Worm threads communi-l cate with the passage in, the inner tube and a passagel formed between thewt-Wo tubes; Means are provided for introducing` airor other gas and sulphur into ltheinner tube and the passage between the tubes. Air or other gas supply means are preferably connected totheinner tube and the construction ofthe nozzle `is preferably such that whirling cur,.

rents of air and sulphur are produced, the u teriorly of the whirling current of sulphur and crossing the path of the whirling current of sulphur beyond its point of formation. The construction of the nozzle may be such that the whirling masses rotate in the same direction orit may be such that the whirlingl masses rotate in opposite directions.

The invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation showing spray forming apparatus constructed in accordancer with the invention;

Fig. 2 shows the apparatus of Fig. 1 applied to a combustion chamber;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the nozzle of the apparatus shown in Fig.r1; y

Fig. et is an end view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 3; l

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a nozzle similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but in which the inner and outer worms are oppositely threaded; f

Figs. G and S are longitudinal sections of modified forms of nozzles; and

Figs. 7 and 9 are sectional views showing additional features of the nozzles shown in Figs. 6 and 3, respectively.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises a spray device 10 provided adjacent one end with a nozzle 1.1 and adj acent the other end with conduitsi12 and 413 for the introduction of molten sulphur and high pressure air, respectively, from suitable sources of supply (not shown).

The spray device v10 projects through a casing 14 communicating with an opening in an end wall 16 of a combustion chamber 15 to a point adjacent the inner surface of the end wall. The casing 14 provides a passage for the introduction of air into the combustion chamber around a spray issuing from the nozzle 11. The casing is connected with a low-'pressure fan orblower (not shown) by means of a conduit 17. The combustion chamber may rbe of any suitable length, and it is provided with a series of staggered baffles 18 which cooperate to provide a tortuous path of travel for gases passing therethrough. Any suitable means may be provided for conducting sulphur dioxide-bearing gases from the combustion chamber.

The spray device comprises an inner tube which forms a continuation of the conduit 13 and an outertube 2() of greater diameter than the inner tube telescoping with the inner tube and mounted in axial alignment therewith, the walls of the inner and outer tubes being spaced apart to provide an annular passage therebetween. A short conduit 21 communicates with the passage between the tubes and with the supply conduit 12 to provide an inletA for molten sulphur.

The major portions of the outer tube 20 and the sulphur supply conduit 21 are surrounded by a steam acket 22 provided with inlet and outlet conduits 23 and 24 which are connected to suitable steam supply and exhaust means (not shown).

The opposite ends of the outer tube are threaded internally to receive threaded end portions of a gland and the nozzle 11. The gland is of usual construction, comprising centrally bored male and female members 25 and 26 and an annular relatively soft packing element 27. Stud bolts 23 and nuts 30 are provided for maintaining the male and female members of the gland in properly adjusted positions. The gland provides a seal for one end of the annular space between the inner andl outer tubes.

The nozzle 11 comprises an outer substantially tubular or hollow casing 31 and telescoping quadruple worm'screws 32 and 33. The central opening through the nozzle casing is formed in three sections having different diameters, the inner surfaces of each section being of substantially cylindrical forms. The diameter of the smaller section is such as to permit the insertion of the air supply conduit 13 and provide a substantially fluid-tight joint. The diameter of the intermediate section is such as to provide for the reception of a reduced end portion of the outer worm screw 33. A substantially fluid-tight joint is formed between the reduced end portion of the outer worm screw and the inner surface of the intermediate section of the nozzle casing. The peripheral surfaces of the worm threads on the outer worm screw 33 engage the inner surface of the larger end section of the nozzle casing. The wall 'of the nozzle casing is provided with longitudinal passages 34 providing means of communication betweenthe spaces 29 between the threads of the outer worm screw and the annular passage between the innerand outer tubes 13 and 20.

The outer worm screw is hollow7 and the opposite end portions of the passage there through are of different diameters, the portion of smaller diameter extending through the reduced end portion of the worm screw and being threaded to engage a threaded end portion of the inner tube 13. The inner worm screw 32 is mounted within the larger end portion of the outer worm screw with the peripheral surfaces of the worm threads in substantial engagement with the inner surface of the outer worm screw.

In the assembled apparatus, the outer worm screw is mounted on and held in position by the inner air tube 13. The inner worm screw is held in position by means of a rod 35 attached thereto and to the wall of the inner air tube.

The discharge end edges of the nozzle casing and the outer worm screw are beveled lOl' lli:

internally to provide surfaces 36 and `37 for controlling the direction of travel of the separate iiuid streams issuing from the passages between the worin threads. The inner worin screw is so mounted with respect to the outer worm screw that the end faces of the threads thereon lie in a plane containing the inner end edge of the beveled surface 37 of the outer worm screw. In the operation of the apparatus, the position of the outer worm screw is preferably so adjusted that the end faces of the worm threads thereon lie in a plane containing the inner end edge of the beveled surface 36 of the nozzle casing. As shown, for eXample,-in lfig. 3, the beveled surfaces and 3T are so disposed that the path of travel of air issuing from the spaces 39 between the worm threads of the inner worin screw will cross the path of travel of molten sulphur issuing from the spaces 29 between the worm threads of the outer worm screw.

The inner air tube 13 and the wormscrews mounted thereon are locked in their proper operative positions with respect to the nozzle casing by means of a set screw 88 eX- tending through a threaded opening in a collar d() which forms part of a hollow eX- ternally threaded adjusting member 41 through which the air tube 13 extends. The adjusting member 41 extends through a threaded opening in the transverse portion 12 of a yoke having a pair of longitudinally ext-ending arms 43 rigidly attached at their ends to the outer tube 20. Lock nuts 44 are provided on opposite sides of the member 42 for locking the adjusting member in its adjusted positions. Rough adjustments may be made by sliding the air tube longitudinally, andthe finer adjustments may be made by rotating the adjusting member 41 after the air tube has been looked against relative movement by means of the set screw 38.

The nozzle illustrated in Fig. 5 isv identical with the nozzle illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and Ll except that the inner worin screws of the two nozzles are threaded oppositely. Masses of two different fluids issuing from a nozzle of the type illustrated in Fig. 5 will rotate in opposite directions, whileI masses of two different fluids issuing from a nozzle of the type illustrated in Figs. l, 3 und 4; will rotate inthe saine direction.

The nozzle illustrated iu Figs. 6 and 7 is provided with a relatively long' hollow out-- the nozzle casing 46. The discharge end portion of the outer worm screw is flared .outs wardly to provide a frusto-conical surface 47 which is disposed adjacent ya similarv surface a8 formed internally` on the discharge end portion of the nozzle casing. The internal surface of the discharge end portion of the nozzle casing is beveled at two different angles to provide two different contiguous, axially aligned, frusto-conical surfaces 48 and 50 the elements ofthe outermost one of which (50) form the smaller angles with the common axis. rlhe-inn'er surface of the discharge end portion of theouter worm'screw is beveled to provide a 'truste-conical surface in axial alignment with the frusto-eonical surfaces el?, 48 and 50 and the elements of which form greater angles withthe common axis than the elements of the surface 50. rlhe inner worm screw 51, the outer worm screw and frusto-conical surface 50 are so disposed relatively vto one another that the path of travel of fluid issuing lfrom the spaces between the worm threads of the inner worm screw will cross the path of travel of iiuid issuing from the spaces between the worm threads of the outer worm screw. A The inner worm screw 51 is held in position within the outer worm screw by means of a bolt 52 extending centrally therethrough and having a threaded end portion which enters a threaded opening in a wall 53 within and formed integrally with the outer worm screw; lhe wall 53 is provided with openingsv 54 which provide meansfof communication between the inlet and discharge end portions' of the outer wormserew.

The nozzle illustrated in Figs. 8 and-9` combines several Vfeatures of the nozzles illustrated in the remaining figures. The outer worin screw 55 is provided with a. removable ring 5G on which the worm threads are formed. T he inlet end portion of the outer worm screw is spaced from the wall of the nozzle casing 57 by means yof spaced projections'58 formed integrally therewith. The inner worm screw 60 is similar to the'inner worm screw of the nozzle shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and it is mounted within' the outer wormscrew in a similar manner. Frustoconical surfaces 61 and 62 are provided for directing the travel of fluids issuing from the nozzle.

ln the operation of theapparatus, molten sulphur under any suitable pressure is introduced into the passage between the inner tube 13 and the outer tube 2O through the conduits 12 and 21 and flows longitudinally therethrough toward the discharge nozzle.

Upon entering the discharge nozzle, the direction of flow is changed by the worm threads and the molten sulphur issuesfrom therethrough until it reaches the discharge nozzle wherein its direction of flow is changed by the worm threads and it issues from the discharge nozzle as a whirling current. The relatively high-velocity whirling current of air upon striking the relatively low-velocity stream of molten sulphur produces a whirling spray comprising an intimate mixture of air and linely divided sulphur. The heat developed through oxidation of the sulphur during the course of the operation is sufficient to maintain the combustion chamber at a temperature suiiiciently high to cause rapid oxidation of the sulphur continuously. The amount of air introduced through the inner air tube 13 should be just suicient to result in the production of a suitable whirling spray. Additional air for completing the oxidation of the sulphur to sulphur dioxide is introduced into the combustion chainber around the spray through the conduit 17 and the casing 14. j Y

The various nozzles illustrated may be used interchangeably in apparatus of the type illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2. Nozzles of any suitable sizes may be employed. Nozzles having dimensions substantially the same as those of the nozzles illustrated in the drawings liave been employed successfully. Employing apparatus provided with one of such nozzles, I have succeeded in burning` sulphur at the rate of three and one-li alf to ten tons per day to produce al gas ruiming consistenly 19% to 21% sulphur dioxide. The gas leaving the combustion chamber was practically colorless showing a low content of subliined sulphur. The apparatus which was capable of being operated to burn efficiently three and onehalf to ten tons of sulphur per day was also capable of being regulated to burn eiciently as little as a few pounds of sulphur per hour.

The flexibility of the apparatus of the invention with respect to capacity may be attributed to the fact that the success of the operation is not dependent upon the pressure or volume` of the molten sulphur provided. The primary factor in producing the finely divided spray is the air oi other gas employed. I have found it to be advisable to employ a gas such as air iuider a pressure of about forty to eighty pounds per square inch. In the operation of the apparatus of the invention, the desired type of spray is obtained primarily as a result ofthe use of high pressure air or oth-er oxidizing gas and the efficiency of the apparatus is -due not only to the tine subdivision of the sulphur but also to the intimacy with which the air or other oxidizing gas and the sulphur leaving the nozzle are mixed.y

Molten sulphur for use in operating the apparatus may be produced in any suitablel manner. Heat for melting the sulphur may be obtained from the gases leaving the coinbustion chamber by means of suitable heat exchanging apparatus (not shown).

in order to obtain the optimum results in the operation of the apparatus of the invention, it is advisable to employ dry air or air of low water content and to regulate carefully the relative amounts of sulphur and oxygen admitted to the combustion chamber. YWater and excess free oxygen tend to promote the production of sulphur ti'ioxide at elevated temperatures. Air for use in the operation of the apparatus may be dried by means of siilpliuric acid, and suitable drying apparatus may be provided as a part of the complete apparatus of the invention. Such apparatus may comprise, for example, a packed tower through which air and sulphuric acid may be passed in countercurrent relationship. Means may be pro vided for cooling` the gases issuing from the combustion chamber to ieduce the tendency of the siilph ur dioxide to react with free oxygen and water vapor which may be associated therewith. Such cooling means may be a heat exchanger in which the heat removed from the gases may be employed for melting elemental sulphur for use in the process. The method herein described is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 551,19l. {ih-d rluly 16, i931.

l claim :M

il.. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, and means for introducing :i whirling` spray comprising molten sulphur and oxygen into the combustion chamber.

2. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, means for introducing a stream of molten sulphur into the com bustion chamber. and means for directing a whirling current of air against the stream of molten sulphur to form a spray comprising an intimate mixture of finely divided sulphur and air. 3. Sulphur l'nirning apparatus comprising a pair of telescoping tubes having their walls spaced apart to provide a passage tlierebetween. means for introducing a gas under pressure into the inner tube adjacent one end, means adjacent the opposite end of the inner tube for imparting a whirling movement to gas issuing therefrom, means for introducing molten sulphur into the space between the tubes, and means for discharging the molten sulphur into the path of travel of the gas issuing from the inner tube.

4i. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising a pair of telescoping tubes having their walls .spaced apart to provide a passage therebetween. means for introducing agas under pressure into 'the inner tube adjacent one end, means adjacent the opposite end of the inner tube for imparting a whirling movement to issuing therefrom, means for introducing molten sulphur into the space between the for discharging the molten sulphur into the Ving molten su path of travel of the gas inner Jcube.

5. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising issuing from the a pair of telescoping tubes Araving their walls spaced apart to provide passage'therebetween, means for introducing a gas under pressure into the` inner tube adjacent one end, means adjacent the'opposite end of the inner tube for imparting a whirling movement to gas issuing therefrom, means for introduchur into the space between the tubes, a steam jacket surrounding the oute` tube, and means fordischarging the molten sulphur into the path of travel lof the gas issuing' from the inner tube. Y

6. Sulphur burning' apparatus comprising a pair of telescopingl tubes aving their walls spaced apart to provide a passage therebetween, means fo:` introducing a gas and molten sulphur separately into theinner tube and the passage between the tubes, a discharge nozzle associated with adjacent ends ofv said tubes and having passages communicating with the passages in the tubes, and means within the discharge nozzle for im parting a whirling movement to issuing therefrom.

7. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising' a pair of telescoping tubes having their walls spaced apart to provide a passage therebetween., means for introducing gas and molten sulphur separately into the inner tube and the passage between the tubes, a discharge nozzle associated with adjacentends of said tubes and having passages communik eating with the passages in the tubes, and means within the discharge nozzle-for imparting a whirling movement to gas and sulphur issuing' therefrom.

8. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising apair of telescoping tubes having' their walls spaced apart to provide a. passage therebetween, means for introducing a gas into the inner tribe, means for introducing molten sulphur' into the passage between lthe tubes, a heating element surrounding the outer tube for aiding in maintaining' sulphur therein Vin a molten condition, a. fluid discharge nozzle associated with adjacent ends of saidtubes and havingl passages Communicating with the passages in the tubes, andmeans within the discharge nozzle for imparting' a whirling movement to fluid issuing therefrom.

9. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising a pair of telescoping tubes having their walls spaced apart to provide a passage therebc` tween, means for introducing' a gas under pressure into the inner tube adacent one end, worm means adjacent the opposite end of the inner tube for imparting a whirling movement to gas issuing therefrom, means for introducingmolten sulphur into the passage between the tubes, and means for discharging the molten sulphur into the path of travel of the gas issuing from the inner tube.

l0. lSulphur burning apparatus comprising a pair oftelescoping tubes having their wallsl spaced apart to provide a passage therebetween, means for introducing` a gas under pressure into the inner tube adj acent'one end,

worm means adjacent the opposite end of the inner tube'for imparting a whirling movenient to gas issuing therefrom, means for in-j troducing molten sulphur into the passageV betweenV the tubes, worm means adjacent an end of the passage between the tubesY for im-A parting a whirling movement to molten lsul- .Y phur issuing therefrom, and` means for d1-V recting the whirling stream of sulphur into the path of travel. of the gas issuing Vfrom the in u er tube.

-1 ll. bulphurburmng apparatus comprising a lpair of telescoping tubes having theirwalls spaced apart toprovide a passage' therebetween, means for introducing a gas and molten sulphur separately into the inner tube andthe pas ige between the tubes, a discharger nozzleassociated with adjacent ends of said tubes and having passages communicating with the passages in the tubes, and worm means within the` discharge nozzle for 1m-y part-ing a'whirling movement toV gas issuing Y therefrom. I

Sulphur burning apparatus comprising a pair of' spaced apart to provide a passage therebetween, means for introducing a gas `and molten sulphur separately into the inner' tube and the passage between the tube, a discharge nozzle associatedwith adjacent ends of said tubes and having passages communicating with the passages in thetubes, and worm means within the discharge nozzle for imparting a whirling movement to gas and sulphur issuing therefrom.

13. Sulphur burning apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, means for introducinga stream of moltenr sulphur into the combustion chamber, means 'for directing a whirling current of gas against the stream of molten sulphur to form a spraj7 of atom-' ized sulphur, and means for introducing an oygen-containingV gas into the combustion chamber to oxidize the atomized sulphur.

la. Sulphur burning apparatuscomprising a combustion chamber, means for introducing a whirling' stream ofmolten sulphur into the combustion chamber, means for directing awhirling current of gas against the whirling stream of molten sulphur to form a spray of atomized sulphur, and means for introducing an vonygen-containing gas into the combustion chamber to oXidize the atomized sulphur. i

In testimony whereof I aflix mv signature.

Isaac BnNoowrrz.

ylesconinn' tubes havin@ their walls .t :D b 

